fullcountpitch.com

By Gary Armida

Relief pitching is such a risky proposition. On one hand, a team needs a good bullpen to have a chance at competing for a title. On the other hand, signing a relief pitcher is unpredictable. Why? Well, look at Cleveland Indians reliever Rafael Betancourt. Betancourt is the poster child for inconsistent reliever. He has alternated between having a good season and having a below average season. In 2008, he had a miserable season. In ‘08, Betancourt threw 71 innings, gave up 76 hits, and struck out 64 batters while posting a 5.07 ERA and a 1.423 WHIP. His season was one of the many reasons for the Indians’ disappointing year. This season was in complete contrast to his 2007 season when he posted a 1.47 ERA and a 0.756 WHIP in 79.2 innings. He also struck out 80 batters while giving up just 51 hits. Betancourt is hardly the lone wolf when it comes to the unpredictability of relief pitching. Names like David Riske, Bobby Howry, and Aaron Heilman should bring chills to Brewers, Cubs, and Mets fans as all three had poor 2008 seasons after having an above average 2007. The closer market is a bit more predictable as this specialized role is more defined and is limited to a smaller number of pitchers. This offseason several closers are available. Francisco Rodriguez is coming off a “record” breaking season and Brian Fuentes enters the market after reclaiming his closer job in Colorado. Automatically, the casual observer will look at Rodriguez’s record number of saves and yell that their team should cut a blank check while many baseball “experts” say that Fuentes is the better option. With all apologies to Kerry Wood (just one year as a closer and an injury risk), Trevor Hoffman (41 years old) and Eric Gagne (where do we begin?), let’s look at the value of top two closers on the market. [Read more →]

By Gary Armida, Owner and Executive Editor of FullCountPitch.com

Today marks the one year anniversary of FCP and I could not be more proud of what this site has become. It has been a pleasure to live out my Peter Gammons life by writing about baseball. Originally, I had this big article planned highlighting our first year, but as I began to type, it just didn’t feel right–too self-serving or something like that. Instead, I just want to do a quick note of thanks to all of the people who have helped keep FCP going. [Read more →]

By Bill Campione

Philadelphia fans are not known to be the classiest of people in major sports. Whether at a Flyers, Eagles, or Phillies game, it has been well documented that they put the New York fans to shame with their brutal behavior and disregard for human life because of a fan’s choice of clothing. Even family members of opposing players have been abused. According to John Romano at the St Petersburg Times:

“Children were cursed at, and one 9-year-old boy had beer poured on him. A Rays family member stayed locked in a bathroom stall because, he said, Phillies fans were banging on the walls and threatening him.”

That is dedication to be being a douche! In their defense, Philadelphians routinely give their children alcohol at a young age. Simple, fruity stuff like wine coolers and spritzers.

[Read more →]

By Gary Armida and Bill Campione

This week we discuss the Brewers’ new manager, Ken Macha, have an in-depth Mets discussion with “Typical Mets Fan” Jeff Keeperman, talk CC Sabathia, and go through our usual round of Fungos, Channeling Harry Doyle,  and the Owner’s Box.

This week’s show runs about 52 minutes so settle in for some good baseball talk. It’s our best one yet. We would love to hear some feedback either here or via emails. You can also get this via i-tunes.

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By Gary Armida

The General Manager meetings are underway in Dana Point, California. Usually, this is the time where the general managers will meet, discuss specific rule changes, and begin trade conversations that could come to fruition next month at the Baseball Winter Meetings. Sometimes, trades can be made like the Brad Lidge to the Phillies trade of a year ago. Mostly, there is a lot of talk and rumors. One thing is for sure, there will be zero free agent signings as the open market does not officially open until next week. That does not stop the constant rumors or teams trying to re-sign their own. Reportedly, the Brewers have made an offer to keep CC Sabathia (rumor has it as a 4 year deal upwards of $100 million dollars). The Dodgers are making a play for Manny Ramirez as they are rumored to be shopping pieces in order to free up the necessary money. Neither will sign prior to hitting the open market. Ramirez and Mark Teixeira lead the free agent hitters as Baseball gears up to the bidding frenzy. They may lead the group of hitters, but neither is the offensive player who will give a team the most value for their money. [Read more →]

By Gary Armida

The St. Louis Cardinals are one of the model franchises in Major League Baseball. The team is a consistent winner (10 winning seasons in their last 13), they have a habit of making the playoffs, the ownership spends money on the product, they have a future Hall of Fame manager and pitching coach, they have the best player in baseball in Albert Pujols, and they may have the best fans in all of baseball. The franchise that some call “Baseball Heaven” has been a model of stability and the blueprint that many organizations try to emulate. When one has good ownership, good upper management, and good field management, an organization will tend to be competitive. Perhaps the 2008 Cardinals epitomized the entire organization as most experts picked the Cardinals to compete with the Pirates for the basement of the National League Central. As history proves, the Cardinals were in playoff contention for much of the year with names like Looper, Lohse, Wellenmeyer, and Ludwick backing the all-world talent in Albert Pujols. Credit has to be given to the Cardinals management, specifically manager Tony LaRussa and pitching coach Dave Duncan. With their expertise, the Cardinals surprised most baseball experts and finished 86-76. With the hot stove season underway, the Cardinals have many decisions to make. Luckily for St. Louis fans, the Cardinals organization is usually up to the task. FCP is joined by St. Louis Times Dispatch Columnist Jeff D. Gordon, who has covered the Cardinals since 1986, to give a closer look to the Cardinals’ 2008 season, their management team, their roster, and their plans for the future. [Read more →]

By Gary Armida

With the 2008 season finally over, all true baseball fans are thinking about 2009. Now that teams can announce moves and trades, the annual Hot Stove season is finally upon us. With names like Ramirez, Teixeira, Sabathia, Sheets, Peavy, Griffey, Holliday, Atkins, and Perez (Oliver, that is), the offseason is sure to be filled with plenty of rumors, signings, trades, and contract squabbles. Remember, it was just a year ago that Alex Rodriguez and Johan Santana filled the daily headlines with their contract/trade talks. This Hot Stove season already started with a trade as the Royals and Marlins swapped reliever Leo Nunez (to the Royals) in return for Mike Jacobs. We even have a new manager in Milwaukee. This is the time of year where it gets exciting. A team has three choices: do nothing and say you’re going with a youth movement, do something just to do something even if it’s just a smokescreen, or do something that actually makes a difference. On this last day of October, let’s get to our first session of Hot Stove Fungos. [Read more →]

By Bill Campione

There are some days I feel horrible when I wake up. Maybe it’s because it is so early in the morning, maybe it was the Big Mac I ate at midnight, or maybe it is because I lay awake at night wondering where it all went wrong. But I get up, I (usually) shower, I (sometimes) shave, and I (hardly) look forward to a new day. On my disgustingly long commute to work I pat myself on the back for pushing ahead and making it in. After all, there will undoubtedly be those who weren’t strong enough to make it in despite lesser ills than my own. I feel like I am a true professional, a man among boys when I enter my job and this feeling of superiority carries me until about 10:00 AM when the shame and hate start all over again.

This temporary feeling of eminence has come to a screeching halt now that I know what Jamie Moyer went through in order to go to work on Saturday night. Jamie, you see, had a sour stomach. He had the runs. He had watery stool. He had the Hershey squirts. His wife, Karen, said “It was so bad I had to change the sheets twice. He ruined two pillows. Our comforter is at the cleaners right now.”

[Read more →]